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day ten Prague is smaller than I had imagined, but I still like it. Our hostel is located on the outskirts of the town and we are definitely getting a taste of what communism must have been like for the people that live here. The beds are comfortable and the shower has hot water, but we certainly know that we are not in America. One of the more odd things that I have noticed is that the shower stall itself is raised about eighteen inches off of the floor and I have no idea why. The exposed wiring from the bathroom fan in the stall also makes me worry a little about possible electrocution. Our vantage point from the fourth floor gives us a clear view of what communists like to do with architecture. The square buildings in the immediate vicinity are anything but ornate. ... The metro system is pretty simple and only has three lines. The one that we ride the most is called B. Of all the subway systems that we've encountered so far, this is the one that we've had to ride the most. ... The girl working the desk at the hostel has to be the most attractive woman that I have seen so far in Europe. Being able to stare at her when we checked into the hostel made the wait worthwhile. Trevor keeps telling me that she either must work another job at a nightclub or she's fifteen. I try my hardest to put both of those possibilities out of my mind. I was so taken by her that I had to ask her name. After a moment of hesitation, she said that her name was Monica. She has a habit of biting her lip when she isn't quite sure what to say and I think that's cute. ... The sun may still be missing, but we did have warm and dry weather today. It's a nice change of pace from the drizzle of Munich and Vienna that we left behind. ... More than person has told us that parts of the movie Mission Impossible was filmed here in Prague, but so far I haven't seen anything that seems familiar. I'll have to watch the movie again when I get home. ... From what I have seen, hip, young women are wearing black pants and a jacket in Prague. This combination paired with some chunky shoes seems to be the look this season for the followers of fashion. Even the lovely Monica with her Slavic good looks follows this trend. ... I'm glad that I got a small taste of what Eastern Europe must have been like under Communism. It does make America shine a little brighter, despite its problems. On the other hand one doesn't think Communist when they see the money being poured into Wenceslas Square. Seeing that both KFC and McDonalds have already infected this country makes me sad. As far as I am concerned KFC resides on the lowest rung of the fast food ladder and I wouldn't wish that stuff on anyone. ... Being here doesn't feel that foreign to me. I mean I am still me even when I am standing on the Charles Bridge at ten o'clock at night. Maybe it's hard to get a sense of history when I am too busy watching the German and Japanese tourists walk by. Once in a while I'll hear English in an Australian accent or a British one, but I don't mind. I like being on a mental island of sorts. I also like being able to connect all of my guidebook reading with actual places. Even after I've seen them, I go back to the book to compare the descriptions to what I saw. From what I've seen of Prague I have to say that I like it and I'll probably come back here some time in the future.
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